The New Helel

Dareios VII

Dareios sat at his father's bedside, tenderly looking at his pallid face. In Dareios' hands was a bundle of baby serpents, all eager to get his attention.

"How have you been doing, Father?" Daerios questioned.

His father blinked once in reply. Bad.

Dareios sighed. "I am terribly sorry. I have been working to find a suitable healer, but your condition seems to be beyond Gehinnom's power. Our plans to ascend to Shamayi H'Shamayim are unsuccessful as well."

Astaroth stared at his son, almost as if he was telling Dareios something. The angel?

Daerios lowered his head in shame. "I could not convince him in the end."

Astaroth closed his eyes in response. It's alright.

"However, amidst all these sorrows, I do have one happiness to share," Dareios continued with a warm smile. "Here are a few of your grandchildren. I brought Christos, Dion, and Athanasios here."

Dareios gingerly placed the snakes on top of his father, chuckling when he saw them snuggle up to Astaroth. "They seem to like you."

A small smile stretched across Astaroth's face, if only for a moment. I'm glad they do.

*

"We're having a special lesson today, Daerios," instructed Astaroth. "I will teach you how to transform."

The snake's eyes widened. "I can finally look like Marduk?!"

"Well, not exactly like him. But similar." Astaroth explained. "The first step is knowing all about what you're transforming to. To transform into a humanoid, you need to learn how to be a humanoid. Is that clear?"

Dareios nodded. "Mhm! So what is it like?"

"Well, it is like-" Astaroth was cut off by a jabbing pain that stemmed from his heart, instantly forcing him to his knees. When he looked down, he noticed an arrow sticking out of his wounded chest. On his last legs, he began to cough out a strange, thick liquid. Blood.

"Father!" Dareios cried out. "Father!"

A dominion landed next to Daerios and stomped on the serpent, rendering him unable to move. As Dareios lay on the floor, he could only watch as the dominions attacked his father.

Astaroth turned invisible in an attempt to flee, but was quickly caught. The dominions threw him to the ground and started to trample his body. Astaroth's fingers wiggled, preparing to attack, only for his hand to be stabbed in return.

The dominions continued to strike, digging their tridents and swords into his soft flesh. Astaroth cried in pain over and over again, but their beating showed no sign of ceasing.

They tore through flesh and blood, revealing organs and bones. The musty smell of blood wafted through the air, and Dareios' mouth was drained of its liquid. Though he told himself to look away from the horrible sight, his eyes were fixed on his father.

"Somebody help! Help! " Dareios croaked out, using the last of his strength to cry out.

But his cries proved to be useless.

*

"Are you sure your house burned down?" Bethesda asked as she looked around in awe. "This one looks exactly the same as before, give or take some missing furniture."

"I tried to make it as similar as I could to the original. I am grateful for all those who were able to contribute. It would not have been possible if not for their combined efforts." Dareios replied. Although he sounded emotionless, Bethesda could tell he was sincere.

"Oh, is that a snake plushie?" Bethesda diverted her attention to a large stuffed snake that had white and gold scales.

Dareios chuckled. "It is supposed to be me in my original form. I am glad the time reversers were able to save it."

"Can I take it home? You look so cute here!" Bethesda held the stuffed snake close to her chest and touched its nose.

"You may. I suppose with all the valuables the time reversers saved, one missing thing would not hurt." He responded. "Now, for the rest of the residence."

As they walked through the various rooms, Bethesda noticed something. "Hey, where are all the portraits of you when you were little? Did you not find their ashes?"

A blush made its way to his cheeks. "Oh, I have them. I just cannot find it in myself to put them up," he sheepishly explained. "They are in my bedroom."

Bethesda smirked. "I suppose we're going to put it up today, then," she said. Then she grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him towards his bedroom.

"Ah, what are you doing?" He cried out in surprise.

Bethesda only smiled. "Putting up those pictures, what else?"